Founders
Episode 20 #20 Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business
Founders

Episode 20: #20 Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business

Founders

Episode 20

#20 Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business

David Senra is the host of Founders, where he studies history's greatest entrepreneurs. This is what he learned from reading Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business by Danny Meyer.

What I learned from reading Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business by Danny Meyer. 

---

Subscribe to listen to Founders Premium — Subscribers can listen to Ask Me Anything (AMA) episodes and every bonus episode. 

---

This is not a typical business book (0:30)

Why don't you just do what you've been thinking about doing your whole life? (4:00)

How Danny learned from other founders on what to do and what to avoid (8:00)

The smartest business decision I ever made (18:00)

Optionality as a non-negotiable (20:00)

Inadequate focus on core product (23:30)

The founding of Shake Shack is an example of this great quote from Jeff Bezos: "We know from our past experiences that big things start small. The biggest oak starts from an acorn. If you want to do anything new you’ve got to be willing to let that acorn grow into a little sapling and finally into a small tree and maybe one day it will be a big business on its own." (27:00)

Advice from Stanley Marcus (Neiman Marcus): "The road to success is paved with mistakes well handled." (38:00)

I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth

Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast

#20 Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business

Introduction

“I was born to go into business for myself, and I was destined to find a business that would allow me to share with others my enthusiasm for things I find pleasurable. My cravings for the adventures of travel, food, and wine is what first compelled me to do what I do. In fact, like so many other entrepreneurs I've met, I'm not even sure I had much of a choice. A career in the restaurant business was going to tap me on the shoulder even if I hadn't found it first.

This is not a typical business book, and it's certainly not a how-to book. I don't enjoy being told how or that I ought to do something. And I'm equally uncomfortable doling out advice without having been asked for it. What follows is a series of life experiences that led me to a career in restaurants, which has, in turn, taught me volumes about business and life. Along the way, I've learned powerful lessons and languages that have allowed me to lead with intention rather than by intuition.

Access the full transcript
Sign in or register to view episode transcripts.

Contact

Get in touch at help@joincollossus.com